KUCHING: It is a curse of uncivil society when two signboards bearing the official plea, “Do Not Feed The Pigeons”, are missing from their designated places along Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang-Jalan Gartak near to the Open Air Market and Electra House.
Along the two roads, pigeons by the hundreds (looks more like thousands, actually) are often feeding on food thrown on the ground. A large flock often congregate at the triangle in front of Hong Leong Bank building.
A total of five signs were put up by the Commissioner of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Wee Hong Seng and his team on December 12 last year to make the public aware of the health hazards that arise from feeding the birds.
However, two signs had to be taken down by DBKU yesterday because they were badly vandalised with spray paint, according to a few shop owners and workers at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang.
A female worker who was too shy to reveal her name said the notice boards were spray painted sometime during Chinese New Year last month.
“There were two signboards – one at the centre of the triangle and the other was next to a nearby bus stop. Meanwhile, people just keep on feeding the pigeons.
“Although we have not heard our customers complain about the pigeons, I feel disturbed by their droppings which make the area look unclean,” she said.
Her colleague who also wanted to remain anonymous also recalled that the notice boards were taken off by the authority yesterday.
To them and to a few others who are civic-minded, the defacing of the signs indicated how certain individuals in our society have little or no regard for public properties. They are practitioners of the deviant culture of vandalism.
While these signs were at their designated places, they apparently had little or no effect on public behaviour. Indeed many people fail to see why they should not feed the pigeons. The rest are probably unaware of the negative consequences of their behaviour.
If only enough people know that pigeon droppings contain parasites, bacteria and mites! That would be ideal. But the reality is so much different as proven by the layers of poop along the roads, atop the shops and on tree branches.
The pigeons are not unlike “winged rats” which also can spread diseases. The birds can spread bird flu, respiratory diseases and meningitis. And we have not mentioned the stench of the poop yet!
“The situation has become serious as the birds are perching almost everywhere because people have been feeding them generously,” said a shop owner at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang.
Some people have described the pigeon feeders as “kind souls”, but those who know better beg to differ. Those who feed the birds despite the advice on the signboards are most probably people who lack awareness of the health-oriented intention of the city authority.
“Long, broad strips bristling with spikes are all it takes to dissuade the pigeons from roosting on the shelter ledges and pooping down into hard-to-reach places,” said a frequenter of the area.
“With their droppings everywhere, can you imagine how it will be during the dry season when the poop becomes dry and dusty?
As things stand now, some shops nearby are selling vegetables and fruits that are not covered. They seem not to care that bird droppings are everywhere on the ground.
They don’t think that crows, other birds, cats and rats also come to eat the food given by the “kind souls” who come from pigeon-free homes or neighbourhoods.
A woman shopper thought that the situation was getting out of control and “if something is not done soon, someone will get seriously ill” due to the various undesirables contained in the pigeon droppings.
Recalling an outbreak of avian influenza outbreak not too long ago, she explained that migratory birds were the main carriers of the virus as birds flew from one place to another.
Her husband also expressed his concern and he spoke about the virtue of educating the people, changing their mindsets and raising civic consciousness that can change bad public habits.
“I hope that the authority would enforce the law strictly while carrying out awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers posed by pigeon droppings,” he said.
“For example, they could put up infographic signs to get their health messages across. People are often attracted to optics presented in artistic and creative styles.”
